63 Capt. M^'Konochie on the most effective use of' 



efficient than even a full establishment of them, can, it is be- 

 lieved, be as satisfactorily shewn. 



2. The system under consideration would enable the mana- 

 gers of a ferry to proportion their accommodation, at all times, 

 to the exact demands of the passage. One steam-boat, as 

 usually constructed and employed, is too little for any feN 

 ry. Even two may be occasionally insufficient ; while, in ge- 

 neral, they may be more than is wanted, and the expence of 

 plying them may not thus be defrayed. A steam-tug, however, 

 will tow over one, two, or more passage vessels in ordinary cir- 

 cumstances ; and if, at any particular time, the work exceed its 

 powers, the passage must then be so frequent as to defray the 

 expence of working a second tug. And it should be observed, 

 that two corollaries flow from this quality in the new isystem, 

 each in its way interesting, if not both equally so. 1. Unneces- 

 sary wear and tear would be thus avoided. 2. Managers being 

 thus enabled to extend their accommodation, almost at will, 

 without additional expence, would also be enabled to favour any 

 particular local interest without sacrifice. Agricultural pro- 

 duce, for example, of which the chief articles are bulky, and 

 yield but a small profit, Avhile their free circulation is of import- 

 ance to all classes, might well claim to be thus every where distin- 

 guished. And most localities have something or other besides, 

 which they might desire in like manner to encourage. 



3. By enabling managers to diminish their incumbrances, ac^ 

 cording to the state of the weather, this system would also vir- 

 tually enable them to increase their power, according to tht 

 same state. In moderate weather, a powerful tug may tow over 

 several passage vessels ; when it is more boisterous, one only ; 

 and when sent alone, as might be done in extreme cases, scarce- 

 ly any weather should stop her. In this way, the passage may 

 be kept open in much worse circumstances than are sufficient to 

 shut it, when plied in any of the usual ways. 



4. The speed of a steam-boat does not altogether depend on 

 the absolute power of her engine, nor on the qualities of her 

 figure ; but in a very considerable degree also, on the proportion 

 nrhich the breadth of her paddles bears to her power, and that 

 which both bear to the resistance made to her impulsion by va- 

 rious circumstances of weather, and of size and build in her 



